Epic Universe is now in previews, and the reviews are rolling out all over social media. We were lucky enough to get a preview of the whole park, but this article will focus solely on Stardust Racers. We will have another article coming soon with full park details, but since we are Coaster101 we figured this ride deserves its own spotlight. (Truthfully, this review was originally part of the larger article, but I had so much to say about this ride that I had to split it up.) There will be spoilers about the ride experience, so if you want to go in fresh, come back and read our review after you’ve ridden.
I’ll cut right to the chase: this may be Universal’s finest coaster creation yet. While this coaster is themed to the Celestial Park lore, there is not an in-depth storyline but it doesn’t matter. This attraction’s charm comes from the vibes alone, and they are incredible. The queue is fairly standard but surprisingly shaded, which is very much appreciated.
The stairs leading up to the metal detectors and the pre-station area are reminiscent of a subway station, where the Celestians (the original characters created for Celestial Park) catch their comets to fly to other worlds. Once you pass through the metal detectors, you enter the main station, which is gorgeous. It is maybe one of my favorite stations thanks to its elegant simplicity and the fact that it’s just plain cool.
Steampunk-esque comets are fixed to the ceiling, with LED chaser lights flowing towards the tail. In the center of the station is a truly massive comet that sticks out beyond the front of the station. The tail of this huge comet separates the yellow and green sides of the track, and riders choose their side after going through the metal detectors.
Waiting at the gates, you’ll see the trains pull in and out of the station in tandem, and the Flux Capacitors fixed to the back begin pulsing faster as the train exits. As a massive Back to the Future fan, I’m not sold on the in-story reason for these being there, but they are undeniably cool, and the cool factor outweighs logic here. As soon as you board the train, the onboard audio is playing and –wow– is this music incredible. It’s equally ambient, futuristic and exciting.
The ride attendants check the restraints and then the race is on, with both trains dispatching simultaneously. On this racing/dueling roller coaster, you’ll be facing off against the other train as you turn out of the station and enter the area below where the first launch is situated. I wish the first launch area was a little more themed, some of the comets hanging in the station would go a long way here, maybe some star-pattern lighting on the walls as well.
Theming aside, this launch is unlike any other I’ve experienced. It’s split into two sections, with a small gap of straight track in between the sets of LSM fins. The first part of the launch accelerates the train to maybe 70% of the total speed, then the final 30% hits and packs a serious punch, rocketing the trains into the side-by-side top hat elements.
From @bioreconstruct
For those thinking that Mack Rides hasn’t made a powerful launch, think again. This is one of the most unique launches I’ve seen on a coaster, and it basically shoves the trains up the top hats with that extra boost. The top hats are a great element, with it’s most impactful moment being at the bottom of the drop, it gives a very tight pull-up into the next hill, doling out some great forces.
The first few elements of Stardust Racers are deceptively slower paced, they are massive hills that the train gracefully glides in and out of. From there, the ride gets more and more intense. The twisted hills and airtime pops are surprisingly strong, but still glossy smooth.
Then, the second launch hits and the trains begin the Celestial Spin. As with so many things about this park, all I can say is: wow. This element is forceful, graceful, disorienting and so satisfying to look at.
Photo from @bioreconstruct
On the yellow side, you see the other train invert above you, before flipping over downwards. On the green side, you invert as you’re going up, with the other train below you. Both are equally fun, but I slightly prefer yellow because seeing the train above you before inverting provides two thrilling sights in short succession.
Other than the Celestial Spin, I think both sides provide an almost identical experience. Some guests are saying the green side is more intense, but I am really not sure why. Something interesting (and ingenious) about this element is that the green side always comes out of the second launch slightly ahead of the other train, so the yellow side will see it spin.
I love this video of Stardust Racers testing from bioreconstruct. Look at the speed boost the yellow train gets during the second launch, it accelerates by three rows of seats!
The end of the layout is full of airtime, and when the trains hit the brakes, everyone on both trains had a huge smile on their face. Stardust Racers is the type of ride that you will get off wanting to immediately get back in line. It’s the perfect level of intensity where you could ride all day long, whereas something like The Incredible Hulk Coaster or VelociCoaster can be too much for some guests to handle multiple rides in a row.
Stardust Racers Final Thoughts
Stardust Racers is simply an incredible creation, and the coaster trains seem to be dancing more than dueling. It is the perfect ride to headline Celestial Park, and will soon most likely be synonymous with the whole park as well. Coaster enthusiasts and the general public can all find something to love, and it is likely going to be many kids’ first thrill coaster as well. Somehow Universal has outdone VelociCoaster, and it’s not with thrill, it’s with style. Congratulations to the entire creative and construction team and in-park Team Members for bringing such an incredible creation to life.
Want to learn more about Epic Universe? Check out our Top 5 Dark Universe Attractions, and our hotel reviews of Stella Nova and Terra Luna. Let us know in the comments what you are most looking forward to with Stardust Racers! And if you’ve ridden, what’s your favorite element?
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